Freethought & Rationalism Archive

hungry_student · 02-17-2003, 11:07 AM

I have a pretty basic question.

How do most evolutionships believe that new genes were (are) created? Are mutations the only plausible way for this to occur, or are there other ways?

-Matt

theyeti · 02-17-2003, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by hungry_student
I have a pretty basic question.

How do most evolutionships believe that new genes were (are) created? Are mutations the only plausible way for this to occur, or are there other ways?

Duplication and divergence.

Go here for some examples.

theyeti

theyeti · 02-17-2003, 11:26 AM

Oh by the way, what's an evolutionship? Will there be one leaving soon? If so, let me know, 'cause I'd dearly love to be on board.

theyeti

MortalWombat · 02-17-2003, 11:30 AM

Also, let's not forget exon shuffling as a mechanism for generating genetic diversity. Exon shuffling has been experimentally demonstrated by the way:

Quote:

Science 1999 Mar 5;283(5407):1530-4

Exon shuffling by L1 retrotransposition.

Moran JV, DeBerardinis RJ, Kazazian HH Jr.

Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104-6145 USA.

Long interspersed nuclear elements (LINE-1s or L1s) are the most abundant retrotransposons in the human genome, and they serve as major sources of reverse transcriptase activity. Engineered L1s retrotranspose at high frequency in cultured human cells. Here it is shown that L1s insert into transcribed genes and retrotranspose sequences derived from their 3' flanks to new genomic locations. Thus, retrotransposition-competent L1s provide a vehicle to mobilize non-L1 sequences, such as exons or promoters, into existing genes and may represent a general mechanism for the evolution of new genes.

hungry_student · 02-17-2003, 11:31 AM

Haha.

Ahem..."evolutionIST." sorry about that. Thanks for the info by the way

MortalWombat · 02-17-2003, 12:05 PM

For those who don't have a subscription to the online version of Science, I found a site here that has a copy of the above-mentioned paper for your own perusal.

jayh · 02-17-2003, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by hungry_student
I have a pretty basic question.

How do most evolutionships believe that new genes were (are) created? Are mutations the only plausible way for this to occur, or are there other ways?

-Matt

In recent years it has also become evident that gene exchange between organisms is not uncommon. In the envirionment of the new host the products of the gene may take on entirely different behavior.

j

Doubting Didymus · 02-17-2003, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jayh
In recent years it has also become evident that gene exchange between organisms is not uncommon. In the envirionment of the new host the products of the gene may take on entirely different behavior.

j

I assume you are talking about organisms other than metazoans? If not, you'll have to elaborate.

jayh · 02-17-2003, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Doubting Didymus
I assume you are talking about organisms other than metazoans? If not, you'll have to elaborate.

Bacterial transfer is the most common, but since most species on the planet are unicellular that is significant contribution to genetic diversity.

Vectoring to higher animals through viruses, and (I believe) bacteria is also established.

Transfer between plant species through pollen has been observed.

j

Doubting Didymus · 02-17-2003, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Bacterial transfer is the most common, but since most species on the planet are unicellular that is significant contribution to genetic diversity.

Entirely true, and this happens a lot in unicellular eukaryotes and all. Thats why phylogenetics pre-multicellular organisms is such a difficult job.

Quote:

Vectoring to higher animals through viruses, and (I believe) bacteria is also established.

True, but I hadn't personally heard of this applying to bacteria. I can't think of any theoretical barrier, though.

Quote:

Transfer between plant species through pollen has been observed.

THIS one I had never heard of, and is very interesting indeed. Do you have any references, links, specifics I can get my teeth into?

02-17-2003, 11:07 AM	#1
hungry_student Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: san diego Posts: 41	Simple Question I have a pretty basic question. How do most evolutionships believe that new genes were (are) created? Are mutations the only plausible way for this to occur, or are there other ways? -Matt

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

02-17-2003, 11:26 AM	#3
theyeti Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Denver, CO, USA Posts: 9,747	Oh by the way, what's an evolutionship? Will there be one leaving soon? If so, let me know, 'cause I'd dearly love to be on board. theyeti

02-17-2003, 11:31 AM	#5
hungry_student Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: san diego Posts: 41	Haha. Ahem..."evolutionIST." sorry about that. Thanks for the info by the way

02-17-2003, 12:05 PM	#6
MortalWombat Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: St Louis area Posts: 3,458	For those who don't have a subscription to the online version of Science, I found a site here that has a copy of the above-mentioned paper for your own perusal.

Freethought & Rationalism Archive

The archives are read only.